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GRRRR! Nail in tire - do I need to automatically replace?
Got a warning light in air pressure drop on driver's rear tire...of course, I find a nail perfectly embedded in tread. I have never had run flats before...doing a little research sounds like I shouldn't get it patched but replace. The nail looks straight in and is stuck in the "outer" tread (touching the road, not in the grooves). I made an appointment at the dealer for Monday.
Any poor souls who have picked up a nail...what was the outcome? Thanks!
Really all depends where the nail is. If it’s in the center of the tire and you didn’t drive too far with it flat it can be patched. But if it’s closer to the sidewall or you had to drive far on it being flat it will likely need to be replaced.
I have had repaired many tires including corvette run flats with a proper plug & patch (mushroom type) combo as long as its an 1"or 1-1/2" away from the tread shoulder. No need to replace tire. These corvettes for the last several generations are nail & screw magnets and you will grow broke if you replace the tire every time you get a puncture. If you track the car, then replacing would be the safest course. No need for a daily driver. JMHO & experience.
Really all depends where the nail is. If it’s in the center of the tire and you didn’t drive too far with it flat it can be patched. But if it’s closer to the sidewall or you had to drive far on it being flat it will likely need to be replaced.
As soon as you detect a severely underinflated tire, get it pumped back up to normal or more before driving it to a tire repair shop such as Discount. If you are out in the middle of nowhere, then you will have to sacrifice the tire to drive somewhere underinflated to get it replaced. Bottom line is that's the purpose of a run flat design to avoid leaving you stranded somewhere as the Vette has not had a spare tire since prior to the C5 generation.
I have had repaired many tires including corvette run flats with a proper plug & patch (mushroom type) combo as long as its an 1"or 1-1/2" away from the tread shoulder. No need to replace tire. These corvettes for the last several generations are nail & screw magnets and you will grow broke if you replace the tire every time you get a puncture. If you track the car, then replacing would be the safest course. No need for a daily driver. JMHO & experience.
Depends on the damage to the tire. As others have stated, too close to the sidewall and it's toast. Otherwise, as long as no steel has been damaged, you can patch it.
Depends on the damage to the tire. As others have stated, too close to the sidewall and it's toast. Otherwise, as long as no steel has been damaged, you can patch it.
Here is a visual... Appreciate all the input, this is a new one for me.
If driving to the car to the dealer or tire shop, just make sure to put air in before driving on it. As noted, as long as that tire hasn't run when low, it should be repairable. Some places won't do it, because they have no idea how far you drove with low pressure, but the manufacturer says it can be done.
Otherwise, if you have a second car, almost as easy to just pull the wheel and drop it off.
St. Jude Donor 05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
Originally Posted by tfly858
Here is a visual... Appreciate all the input, this is a new one for me.
You are Golden on that one. I would pull it off and plug it myself. Heads up though, these tires are not as easy to plug as they were back in the 60s. Takes a little grunt.
A small air compressor is mandatory on-board emergency equipment so you can keep the tire inflated no mater where you are with a slow leak caused by a nail, screw, etc. And the proper repair is with a "mushroom" type plug from the inside of the tire.
Last edited by Walt White Coupe; 01-22-2021 at 02:57 PM.
Here is a visual... Appreciate all the input, this is a new one for me.
No problem, plug/patch is fine. Micheline was allowing one per tire.
Have had several Vette flats fixed that way. Discount tire won't fix if within 1 inch from the end, Firestone if in the outer (or inner) tread.
Bought "tire insurance" from Discount Tire for my 2017 Grand Sport for $240 and my C8 for ~$190. IMO worth the cost. Did the same for wife's now 3 year old BMW X5 SUV for $180. She has had 4 flats. Two were within 1 inch of the end. Got 2 new $399, 315 section width run flats and two flats fixed with plug patches! One was just replaced!
No problem, plug/patch is fine. Micheline was allowing one per tire.
Have had several Vette flats fixed that way. Discount tire won't fix if within 1 inch from the end, Firestone if in the outer (or inner) tread.
Bought "tire insurance" from Discount Tire for my 2017 Grand Sport for $240 and my C8 for ~$190. IMO worth the cost. Did the same for wife's now 3 year old BMW X5 SUV for $180. She has had 4 flats. Two were within 1 inch of the end. Got 2 new $399, 315 section width run flats and two flats fixed with plug patches! One was just replaced!
That is what Discount Tire did for me twice. I bought their tire insurance for my 16 right after I bought the car. They do the repair for free.
Why not just take it to the closest "quality" Tire Dealer.
I'm sure they would know more about Tires than some Service Writer at a Chevy Dealer.
If the Tire really needs to be replaced, which I doubt based on your description, the Dealer would probably charge you a lot more for it than a Tire Store would charge you. Check online for the cost of a new Tire before you go.
Just my $.02, your Mileage may vary.
Last edited by Second Vette; 01-22-2021 at 03:45 PM.
01-22-2021, 01:36 PM
GRRRR! Nail in tire - do I need to automatically replace?
As soon as you detect a severely underinflated tire, get it pumped back up to normal or more before driving it to a tire repair shop such as Discount. If you are out in the middle of nowhere, then you will have to sacrifice the tire to drive somewhere underinflated to get it replaced. Bottom line is that's the purpose of a run flat design to avoid leaving you stranded somewhere as the Vette has not had a spare tire since prior to the C5 generation.
Yeah, that one got replaced. It had all of 140 miles on it.
